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Fairfield police nab 4 suspects with 600 gallons of gasoline in their vans

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Five-gallon plasic cans containing gasoline that Fairfield Police seized today are lined up next to a van, where they were discovered. Police arrested four men today who allegedly used stolen credit cards to purchase the gasoline. The men also allegedly filled up 55-gallon metal drums, at left, all the with hopes of later selling the gas.
(Fairfield Police)

FAIRFIELD — The two white vans parked at a Fairfield gas station early this morning had 600 gallons of gasoline inside, all of it stored in red plastic cans and large plastic drums, police said.

Fairfield police arrested four men and believe they may have used dozens of stolen credit cards to pay for the fuel, with the ultimate intent of selling it on the black market. The suspects were apprehended outside a Valero station on Route 46 around 12:30 a.m., after a brief chase.

Authorities are charging the men with causing or risking widespread injury or damage because of the dangerous manner in which the gasoline was transported, Manna said.

Further charges may follow, Manna said, because authorities believe the men used 45 stolen Visa credit cards and American Express gift cards to buy the gas. The gift cards had between $50 and $100 each. It was still unclear how and where the cards were obtained.

Fairfield Police Officers John McGrory and Jeffrey Dean initially spotted the two white vans at the Valero station and several men filling the canisters with gasoline. The officers had been told of a similar incident in Little Ferry involving white vans.

As the officers approached the men at the Valero station, Dubuission fled, but was apprehended a short time later, police said.

The other three men tried to drive off in the vans, with one allegedly ramming a Fairfield squad car being driven by Sgt. Christopher Morgan, authorities said. Morgan was not injured.

The alleged driver, Diallo, is also charged with aggravated assault on a police officer for using the vehicle as a weapon, police said.